Standing Out (1)
"New student representative, Rick Chedleton. Step forward."
At the emcee's call, Chedleton ascended the dais.
"I swear. In preparation to become a worshipper of truth…"
Following Chedleton's lead, the Magic Academy's new students recited the oath in unison.
It was not only the freshmen who watched him. Upperclassmen and academy faculty alike fixed their attention on Chedleton. Within the Magic Tower, the name Chedleton carried that much weight.
Chedleton felt the gazes pouring over him. It was something he had experienced wherever he went. Being the center of attention no longer felt novel. Situations in which he was the protagonist were, to him, only natural.
Among all those watching him, only one person looked on with open distaste.
Rick Chedleton.
Ellen ground his teeth before he could stop himself.
Rick Chedleton. Even within the prestigious Chedleton family of mages, he was a talent they proudly elevated. The family had spared him nothing; before he ever set foot in the academy he had already consumed several top-grade elixirs. After graduating at the top of his class, his rise had never slowed—he became a legendary figure who elevated the Chedleton house all the way to a ducal family.
Yet his character matched his talent in the worst way: he was a classic noble steeped in vicious elitism. During his academy years he treated commoner students like insects. Faculty, terrified of falling out of the Chedleton family's favor, had no means of restraining him. The number of students expelled simply for failing to please him was more than one hand could count.
He hated Ellen in particular. In his own words, an "effort-obsessed bug"—a talentless worm squirming under the pretense of hard work, which he loathed to the extreme. Whenever Ellen sat alone in a corner of the classroom reading a magic theory book, Chedleton would hurl a fireball at the volume and mock him. With neither talent, money, nor family name to lean on, Ellen could only move to another seat and open a different book.
Chedleton never deliberately drove Ellen out of the academy. Instead he let the ever-widening gap plant inferiority deep in Ellen's bones.
"…I swear it. New student representative, Rick Chedleton."
With the end of Chedleton's oath, Ellen's recollection ceased. Yet even after the entrance ceremony concluded, his fury refused to settle.
After the ceremony, academy life for the freshmen began in earnest. Students attended lectures of every kind: magic theory and the history of the Magic Tower; magical subjects such as ancient languages; liberal arts like mage ethics and etiquette; and practical courses covering mana gathering and the actual casting of spells.
"There are three conditions for the manifestation of magic: will, the manipulation of mana, and the chanting of an incantation."
Academy instructor Latard wrote the words across a black wall with magic.
"The stronger the will, the greater the power of the magic that appears. Dragon tongue is possible only because dragons have reached a realm where will alone is enough to bring magic into being."
At his words the students began scribbling notes. Among them, only three—Chedleton, Leonard, and Ellen—wrote nothing at all.
Latard did not so much as glance at Chedleton; he addressed Leonard instead. Even if Chedleton stormed out of class mid-lesson, there was nothing Latard could do about it, so he saw no reason to invite trouble.
"Leonard. Explain the principles of mana manipulation and the reason we chant incantations."
Leonard shot to his feet in surprise.
"Y-yes, sir!"
As expected, he could only stammer, offering no real answer.
"Focus on the lesson."
"Yes. I'm sorry."
Leonard sat back down, face burning red. Latard next turned his gaze on Ellen.
"Ellen. Can you explain?"
"In order to crystallize the will to manifest magic, one employs the formula of the spell in question; at that moment mana begins to move within the body. The more precise the formula—or the higher one's mana affinity—the more efficient the manipulation becomes, maximizing the spell's effect. Furthermore, the mana stored within the body possesses its own unique properties. To realize that specialized mana in the real world, one chants an incantation as a medium. Higher mana affinity likewise shortens the length of the chant, allowing more efficient use of magic."
It was as if he were reading straight from a textbook. The students around him could not utter a word. Latard himself was equally astonished. He had never imagined he would hear so concrete an explanation of the principles of magical manifestation from the mouth of a first-year who had not even finished the foundational theory yet.
"You understand it perfectly."
Clap, clap, clap!
At Latard's praise the students broke into applause.
"That guy's pretty good, huh?"
"I didn't understand a single thing he said."
"He's nothing like Leonard."
Ellen sat back down as if none of their reactions mattered in the least.
I've already mastered far more complex principles of magic. As if I couldn't grasp something this basic.
"That will be all for today."
When Latard dismissed the class, the students poured out of the room in a noisy rush.
In the many theory classes that followed, Ellen continued to stand out. Because the first week of the term focused on theory, his ability could not help but shine all the brighter.
"Come with me for a moment."
Several days later, Latard called Ellen aside.
"Would you care for some tea?"
"I'm fine, thank you."
"I've been hearing talk of you from every direction."
"I expected as much."
Ellen's manner only deepened the interest in Latard's expression.
"They say you are Eugene's disciple. I know it is highly improper of me to say this, but a talent like yours is far too precious to remain under someone like that. Your comprehension of magic, your calculation of formulas, and the effort that matches them—you possess both the intellect and the attitude a mage requires. If you are willing, I would like to take you as my disciple, doing everything in my power to ensure you come to no harm in the process."
Ellen offered a bitter smile. Receiving such high praise from a mage of Latard's caliber was, of course, pleasant. Yet he could not help recalling his past self.
You have the makings of the greatest mage. If you wish it, I would gladly take you as my disciple in your final semester.
Those were the very words Latard had spoken to him in this same place more than thirty years ago.
I'm only a first-year, but I will work hard and become your disciple for certain, sir!
He remembered the way he had answered then, as if he were soaring through the sky.
Ellen… there are things effort alone cannot overcome. I don't think this can go any further. I'm sorry.
After that, he and Latard had shared no further contact. His anger had been aimed less at Latard than at his own wretched lack of talent. The pity in Latard's eyes whenever he looked at him had been almost unbearable.
"I apologize. My master has even covered my tuition. It would be difficult to forget that kindness."
Ellen spoke with the utmost courtesy.
"You have the proper sense of a man as well. Very well. Forgive me for bringing it up."
Latard inclined his head slightly toward Ellen. Among mages he was a rare figure free of narrow prejudice.
"Not at all. Merely receiving praise from someone like you is enough to make me glad. I will become a mage worthy of those words."
"I shall look forward to it."
Click.
"Haa."
Closing the door behind him, Ellen once again wore a bitter smile.
"Hey. You'd better tone it down."
The sudden voice from beside him made Ellen frown. Even without looking he knew who it belonged to.
"Leonard. What exactly is your problem?"
Where Ellen's gaze landed stood Leonard, his face twisted in a scowl.
"Think you're hot stuff just because you know a little theory? Keep it up and you might disappear overnight."
"Doesn't sound like something a nobody like you could manage."
With that, Ellen brushed past, giving Leonard's shoulder a light tap. The inexplicable pressure rolling off Ellen left Leonard unable to react at all.
Grind!
Only after Ellen had gone did Leonard finally manage to grit his teeth.